By David McKay

The Art of Networking and its Value as a Career Management Tool

Canadian Society for Training and Development Durham (CSTD – Durham Chapter)

November 20th 2008. Less than 48 hours before the event, the scheduled speaker sent an email from the airport—a death in the immediate family prompted a last minute cancellation. Immediately the chapter executive activated their networks and put an all-call out for an eleventh hour replacement.

The eleventh hour replacement turned out to be Donna Messer, trainer, published author and career coach with specialty in networking. We began the evening by going round the horseshoe, each of us shared our name, our organization/position, and one “burning question” we had about networking. Donna then worked the room; she pulled from the filing cabinets of her brain, names, websites and resources connected with each participant’s interests and concerns. She even linked participant with participant. In the process we also learned about her own strategies for networking, her consulting practice, and a wealth of resources.

As career consultants we already know the statistics: networking needs to be a significant aspect of any job search or career change. Our constant struggle is convincing reluctant help-seekers who carefully hug the classified ads on their favourite job search site. Being active networkers ourselves will help us to help them as we speak from experience. The thought of networking often brings nightmares of approaching someone you haven’t spoken to in two months, and going to them on bended knee seeking job leads, job offers, or difficult introductions. No, says Donna. Networking involves meeting others on their terms, listening to what they want, and then helping them—First! Helping, more often than not is simply introducing them to someone else in your network. Sally likes chess, introduce her to Bob. Karen is researching a book on garden pests, suggest Maggie Jones, Ph.D.

Donna Messer is an engaging speaker and a creative personality who clearly practices what she preaches. I would warmly recommend her for the next time you need a speaker on career management related issues.

The Canadian Society for Training and Development (CSTD) is an association of corporate trainers. Add their local chapter to your rolodex. Members often have connections in the HR departments and in the consultancy community.

Donna Messer’s website: www.connectuscanada.com Canadian Society for Training and Development: www.cstd.ca

David McKay is an Employment Counsellor with Durham Region Unemployed Help Centre in Oshawa Ontario. He can be reached at dmckay@unemployedhelp.on.ca